Winding-key for clocks



N. T. MILLS.

WINDING KEY FOR CLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1920.

1,358,457. Patented Nov. 9,1920.

FIE Z I '//v VENTDP FIE 5 A4 ,v. 7: n/us UNITED STATES NORMAN '1. MILLS,OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

WINDING-KEY FOR CLOCKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

Applicationfiled June 15, 1920. Serial No. 389,181.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NORMAN T. MILLS, acitizen of the United ,States, residing at San Francisco, in the countyof San F rancisco and. State of California, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Winding- Keys for Clocks, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in clocks and more particularlywinding keys of the type fixed to the winding stem.

In the majority of small clocks, the winding and setting stems and thewinding key are so arranged and constructed that when the key is graspedand turned the thumb nail of the hand is likely to contact with andcause the accidental turning of the setting stem whereby the hands ofthe clock are moved into the wrong position. This is particularly due tothe construction of the winding key, which key where adapted to begrasped is usually thick or of such construction that the thumb takes uptoo much room and the thumb nail is not clear of the setting stem.

The primary object of my invention is to provide simple and efiicaciousmeans for overcoming the above-noted objections in clocks and Iaccomplish this by reducing the thickness of the winding key so that thefingers will clear the setting stem when winding the clock.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a clock construrted in accordance withthis invention showing the position of the fin ers relative to thewinding key so as to cIear the winding stem.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a clock of the type now in general use,showing the fingers grasping the winding key and disposed so that theyare likely to contact with the setting stem.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the winding key of this invention.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the winding key.

Fig. 5 is asectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the present embodiment of the invention, I have shown inthe drawa clock 1 of the alarm type having a r: central setting stemprovided with :1

- knurled head 2.

The clock is provided with main clock spring and alarm spring windingkeys 3 and 4 respectively arranged in the customary manner on oppositesides of the setting stem head 2. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings,the clock 5 is the same as the one illustrated in Fig. 1, save that thewinding keys 6 and 7 are of the type now in eneral use upon such clocks.I shall first escribe keys now in general use. These keys are providedwith flat body portions 8 riveted to the winding stems 9 and extendingtransversely of the stems. The body portions 8 are formed with outwardlyextending parallel sides 10 which are spaced apart, as shown in thedrawings, substantially eqiial to the width of the body portion 8. eysof this type are so thick that in grasping them with the fingers afterthe manner illustrated in Fig. 2, and in turning said keys, the thumbnail is likely to come into contact with the knurled head of the settingstem 11 and cause said stem to he accidentally turned.

Now, referring to Figs.v 1, 3, 1, and 5 in which I have illustrated myimproved winding key, I form the keys such as the ones 3 and 4 of thebody portion 12 corresponding to the body portion 8 of the old type ofkey and which is provided with a handle portion constituting side pieces13. 'ihese side pieces correspond to the side pieces or flanges 10 ofthe old type of key, but, instead of being extended outwardly and atright angles to the body portion, are pinched or bent close together asshown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, so that the handle portion of the key, thatis. that portion of the key which is grasped by the fingers, is of considerably less thickness than the corresponding portion of the key shownin Fig. 2. These side porions 13 extend or converge upwardly, as at 141,to a point intermuliate of their up er and lower edges an are then pr sed together. as narficulary i lustrated in Fig. By pressing the s deportions 13 together and forming a relatively thin portion to begrasped, I may substitute the keys of this construction for the keys ofthe old type such as shown in Fig. 2 and by so doing. providing forturning of the keys in winding of the clock without causing the thumbnail to come into contact with the setting stem 2 as shown in Fig. 1.The pressing together of the sides, that is, the forming of the key witha relatively thin portion to be grasped, does not interfere with theturning of the key inasmuch as the same area is provided and givesadequate, if not better, purchase in holding the key, but the fingersare not required to be spread apart as far in holding this type or" keyas is the case with the old type.

The side portions 13 by being converged,

as at 141: serve as a stop to prevent the fingers from being pushed intoward the back of the clock to such an extent that the fingers arelikely to engage the setting stern. By reason ofthe fact that thewinding key extendsoutwardly beyond the setting stem in the holding ofthe key to wind the clock, the fingers will clear the stem but where thefingers are inserted close to the inner end of the key, as would be thecase were the portions 14 provided said fingers would be likely, asabove-described, to contact with the stem and cause it to beaccidentally turned.

- I claim 1. A winding key for clocks comprising a body portion adaptedto. be attached to'the winding stem and flanges, extending from oppositesides of the body portion and being pressed together alongtheir upperedges whereby the key is of less thickness along its upper side than atthe body portion.

2. In combination with a clock having a stern, a winding key operativelyassociated with the clock and having the portion thereor" to be graspedin Winding of less thick ness than the remainder thereof, whereby thethumb of the hand will clear said setting stem.

3. A winding key for clocks comprising a body portion adapted to beconnected with awinding stern and flanges extending outwardly fromopposite sides of the body portion and converging toward their outeredges so that their outer edges are pressed into engageinent with oneanother, whereby the key is of less thickness at its outer edge than atthe body portion.

4. In combination with a clock having a setting stem, a winding keyoperatively associated with the clock and having a portion thereof to begrasped of less thickness than the remainder thereof whereby the hand ofthe operator will not contact with the stern in winding the clock.

5; i". winding key for clocks comprising a body portion and a handleportion extending outwardly from the body portion and being larger atits inner end than atits outer end whereby the larger portion serves asa stop for the fingers of the hand in grasp-- ing said key. I

6. A winding key embodying in its construction a body portion adapted tobe secured to the winding stern of the clock and side portions extendingoutwardly from op posite sides of the body portion then converging withtheir outer ed e portions pressed into close engagement with oneanother, said converging portions serving as a stop adapted to engagethe ends of the fingers grasping the pressed together portion of saidsides.

NORMAN T. MILLS.

